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If you need a passport, prepare to wait

PASSPORT: Glitches in the Consular Consolidated Database have affected all parts of the travel document processing system, including getting passports, visas and reports of Americans born abroad. Photo: clipart.com

WASHINGTON (AP) — Those waiting for passports may have a problem on their hands — because of a problem the federal government is having with one of its computers.

The State Department says its global database for issuing travel documents has crashed — and as a result, there are major delays for potentially millions of people around the world.

Glitches in the Consular Consolidated Database have affected all parts of the travel document processing system, including getting passports, visas and reports of Americans born abroad.

The problems started over the weekend, are worldwide in scope — and have created what officials call an “extensive backlog” of applications.